OAKLAND -- The title of the mystery seemed pretty obvious to most observers of the Warriors in Game 5: The Strange Disappearance of the Greatest Shooting Backcourt in NBA History.

Stephen Curry: 4 for 14 from the floor, 1 for 7 on 3-pointers and nine points in 35 minutes. Klay Thompson: 2 for 8 from the floor, zero 3-pointers attempted, four points in 36 minutes

In short, the Warriors received just 13 points total from coach Mark Jackson's historically anointed backcourt, or as many as Richard Jefferson and David Lee accounted for in a 109-91 defeat to the Spurs in San Antonio on Tuesday night. It's a far cry from Game 1, when Curry went for 44. Or Game 2, when Thompson scored 34, including 29 in the first half.

But reprising a George Karl line from Golden State's last series against Denver, Jackson wasn't watching the same movie. He refused Wednesday to pin the Warriors' loss on the "Splash Brothers" meager effort before the team went through its practice paces for Game 6 on Thursday night at Oracle Arena.

"It's not about their shooting," Jackson said flatly. "We didn't play well. We own it, and we move forward. We're disappointed across the board, and it is what it is. Now we make the proper adjustments, because we don't want to put together a similar game."

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Both guards found it difficult to get open looks against the Spurs, who rotated defenders at Curry and Thompson and guarded the perimeter with a vengeance. When they did get open shots, they couldn't hit them, and on top of that, looked fatigued. Curry, of course, is playing on a sprained left ankle while Thompson has been logging heavy time ever since the start of the playoffs, averaging 41.2 minutes.

Neither player was present before practice nor made available to the media to offer any explanations or solutions for what happened in Game 5. In their stead, Jackson poured cold water on their combined shortcomings as the main reason for the loss and spread the blame team-wide.

"We can make it about (Curry and Thompson), but for us, that's not what it's about," the coach said. "It's a four-point game in the third quarter. (The Spurs) shot 72 percent in the first quarter and scored 37 points. That has nothing to do with Klay Thompson or Steph Curry shooting the basketball."

But without either Curry and Thompson setting the tone, the Warriors couldn't keep up the scoring pace in either half despite strong performances from rookie Harrison Barnes, sixth man Jarrett Jack and forward Carl Landry, who combined for 61 of the team's 91 points.

A few players came to the defense of their backcourt mates, noting that if Curry and Thompson aren't getting open, it's a shared burden of responsibility.

"On the offensive end, we have to do a better job moving the ball, setting screens and making the right plays," said Landry. "Because once those guys start getting open, it just opens up the floor for everybody else."

"We probably have to do a better job of getting them open, but for the most part, the Spurs did a great job defensively and you have to give them credit," added center Andrew Bogut. "They came out and were physical with us, and it seems like Steph or Klay didn't get an open look all night. When you don't get that open look to try to get yourself going, it's kind of tough to make that first shot."

The hopeful news for the Warriors is that Curry and Thompson have rarely had off nights together all season. And Golden State has yet to lose two games in a row the entire postseason as they face their first elimination game.

Jackson expects a quick rebound and believes his team is still capable of advancing to the Western Conference finals. But they have to take care of business in Game 6 first, he admitted.

"We are a tight-knit group," he said. "We are able to make adjustments, own it when we don't play well and bounce back. I have no doubt that will take place again."

Remember 1975

The Warriors' championship team also had to overcome adversity. page 6

NOTEBOOK

The Warriors are playing their first elimination game at home since 1994. page 6